BHTA membership & OFT approved code for Advanced Vehicle Concepts Limited

Advanced Vehicle Concepts Limited have as of May 2011 joined the BHTA. (British Healthcare Trades Association).

When a company displayed the BHTA badge in the past it simply meant they were a member of Britain's longest established healthcare trades association.

Now, that badge has been joined by the Office of Fair Trading Approved Code logo. That's because the BHTA Code of Practice has been granted full OFT approval under the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS). Only BHTA member companies can display the two together. BHTA is the first trade body within the health industry to have an OFT approved code. The OFT only approves codes that have proved effective in safeguarding and promoting the interests of consumers beyond the basic requirements of the law.

The BHTA has been around for quite a while – it is one of the oldest and most established trade associations and as well as having a lot of history, it also has an important role to play in the future. It is important for the companies producing equipment, for the professionals who work with that equipment and customers who use it to make their lives easier.

The BHTA has over 400 companies members and they range from a small, local showroom selling items such as scooters, wheelchairs, bathlifts and stairlifts, to the largest manufacturers and suppliers in the UK producing and distributing a vast range of products to help from the most sophisticated orthotic device and pressure care systems to the largest installations such as through floor lifts.

One of their most important roles is to maintain the highest standards.

A New Lease of Life

With the hazy days of summer just around the corner, being able to enjoy an active lifestyle is something which many people take for granted. But for 56-year-old Lesley Wood, enjoying the warmer weather will be a life-changing experience this year thanks to her rather unique mobility scooter.

The former pub cleaner, from Collumpton in Devon, will be reaping the benefits of being able to get out and about this summer after suffering from debilitating osteo-arthritis for the past five years.

The condition, which is also known as degenerative joint disease and affects up to 8 million people in the UK alone, has left her with searing and crippling pain in her knees, back, neck and arms.

Unable to climb the stairs, go to work or even stand up, Mrs Wood was forced to rely on her husband to help her carry out day-to-day tasks.

But since she got her Quingo 5 wheel scooter, Mrs Wood says she’s finally got her independence back. She can now enjoy meeting her friends for a coffee, or taking her five grandchildren to play in the park – and she wants to make sure that anyone who suffers from a similar condition knows the benefits of having such a scooter.

She said: “Having my scooter really has changed my life. My osteo-arthritis left me with crippling pain all over my body and I missed out on a lot. I’m only 56 years old, but I had no life at all and so I’m incredibly grateful to the Quingo team for helping me get that back. “Now I’m able to go out for walks with my husband or meet up with my daughter for lunch. You don’t realise just how important being able to get out and about is until you lose it. I finally have my life back and I can now look forward to enjoy the warmer months by going up my garden or down to the park.”

Any mobility scooter is great for those who are looking to get out and about during the summer to visit family, friends or the shops but thanks to its unique 5 wheel design, this particular scooter has the advantage of being incredibly stable and agile in tight spaces, while the multiple seat, armrest and adaptive footplates ensures that Lesley consistently drives maintaining the best possible posture.

Mark Nicholls, Managing Director for scooter firm Forever Active Ltd, added: “We are delighted that Mrs Wood has had such a positive experience with her scooter. We always appreciate hearing about the genuine benefits that our five wheel mobility scooters bring as they are much more stable and easy to move with the extra fifth wheel. We went to a lot of trouble designing a product that combined the best practical safety features with the best possible posture control. It is particularly gratifying to hear that Mrs Wood is reaping the benefits from her Quingo and long may it continue.”

We may have lost Eurovision... again, but we got a new Guinness World Record...

The first ever 24 Hour Mobility Scooter Endurance Challenge took place over the weekend on the tarmac cycle track at Fowlmead Country Park near Deal in Kent and a brand new Guinness World Record was set! The Red Wheelies have set a new world record for the longest distance travelled on a mobility scooter within a 24 hour period – covering a massive 154 miles (248km).

The previous world record was held by Haidar Talib from the United Arab Emirates, who travelled 88 miles (142km) from Masdar City to Sharjah Al Thiqa Club on November 11 last year.

This challenge was undertaken by The Red Wheelies Mobility Scooter Formation Display Team on a 20 strong fleet of 5 wheel Quingo’s, with Pit Lane Support being provided by Quingo’s specialist team of engineers and mechanics. All the Red Wheelies team members have Multiple Sclerosis and drove through most of the night but the 24 Hour Challenge was just another day for them.

Jackie Weeden, Red Wheelies leader, takes up the story: “We are utterly exhausted but totally ecstatic! Our aim was to have fun and raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis in a more positive light and we hope we’ve done that.

By completing the Challenge successfully we have shown that if you are diagnosed with the condition you don’t have to stop living a full life. In fact, you can do things other people can’t!”

Quingo’s Mark Nicholls says the company was delighted to support The Red Wheelies, all money raised will go to new facilities at the Kent MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury where all the team are members.

“This really was the biggest challenge that The Red Wheelies have undertaken and while there were plenty of thrills there were no spills, thanks to Quingo’s 5 wheel agility, stability.”

Jackie Weeden from The Red Wheelies again: “While our legs may have let us down, the scooters give us back our independence. Our philosophy is that we might have to accept the odd limitation but we certainly aren’t going to give up.

Wheelies feel that with a positive attitude and a sense of humour we can achieve what might appear to be impossible. After all, not everyone can say they are a world record holder, can they?”

The Duchess of Cornwall who became an honorary member last year will be informed.

A World Record and everyone is invited...

Everyone is welcome down to Fowlmead Country Park in Kent over the weekend of 14th & 15th May to support the Red Wheelies record setting effort which runs from 1.00 p.m. on Saturday to 1.00 p.m. on Sunday. The FUNDAY has many additional attraction including a traditional funfair, classic car/bike show, hog roast, BBQ and Search and Rescue Dog display. The event is open from Saturday 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. and Sunday 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m and all proceeds go to the Kent MS Therapy Centre fund. Your support is greatly appreciated! For those with Sar Nav, the postcode is CT14 0BF.

Mark Nicholls explained “This really is the biggest challenge that The Red Wheelies have ever undertaken and we will be doing whatever we can to help them gain a coveted place in the Guinness Book of World Records.”

Good luck ladies!!!

For the latest information visit www.redwheelies.com

The first ever 'Red Wheelie' 24 hr Mobility Scooter Endurance Challenge

While things are stepping up in France in preparation for the Le Mans 24 hour endurance race in a corner of England similar preparations are underway for another 24 hr endurance challenge taking place 14/15 May 2011.

This is the first 24 hr mobility scooter endurance challenge and the chance of a Guinness World Record. 'The Greatest Distance covered in 24 hours on a mobility scooter'. The event is being organised by The Red Wheelie Mobility Scooter Formation Team.

Jackie Weeden, Red Wheelie leader explained "All the Red Wheelie team members have Multiple Sclerosis and our aims are to have fun, raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis in a more positive light, try to show that if you are diagnosed with the condition you don't have to stop living and to show while our legs may let us down our scooters can give us back our independence. Our philosophy is that we might have to accept the odd limitation but we certainly aren't going to give up. Wheelies feel that with a positive attitude and a sense of humour you, yourself, can achieve what might appear to be impossible. We the Wheelies are determined to prove MS does not mean must stop."

Taking place at Fowlmead Country Park, Nr Deal, Kent on the tarmac cycle track the event is being organised by the team to raise funds for the rebuilding of the new Centre for the Kent MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury where all the team are members. A ‘wheelie’ fun weekend for all the family is envisaged with a traditional funfair, hog roast, bbq Search and Rescue dogs and lots lots more.

Jackie continued "This is not the first time we have undertaken feats on our scooters, previously we have ‘walked’ Hadrian’s Wall (in 2009) a distance of 84 miles and last year ‘walked’ from Winchester Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral via the St Swithun’s Way and the North Downs Way this time 150 miles. But we are perhaps best known for our mobility scooter formation routines. We decided to do something completely different this year!

If you would like to hear more about us and our story we have a website www.redwheelies.co.uk where more can be seen about us and our endeavours. We are only to happy to talk about us and our experiences and can be contacted either by email redwheelies@googlemail.com or by phone on 07801 383171."

Quingo are delighted to be part of the challenge and will be providing Pit Lane Support to their fleet of Quingo Vitess's throughout the weekend. Keep your diary free, everyone is invited!!!